Services

The Tommy and Shirley Strickland Cancer Center offers the most comprehensive cancer care services in the region and brings the leading cancer care specialists practicing the latest in clinical care and innovative treatments to Vidalia.

External Radiation Therapy

During external radiation therapy, radiation is directed through the skin to the cancer and immediate surrounding area to destroy the main tumor and nearby cancer cells. Our radiation oncologists use several types of external beam radiation. Learn More

Three-dimensional representations of the tumor and surrounding organs enable your radiation oncologist to accurately tailor beams to the size and shape of your tumor. The beams target the tumor with precision, leaving non-cancerous tissue minimally exposed. This type of therapy is often used to treat tumors that would otherwise be considered too close to vital organs for radiation therapy.

IMRT is a specialized form of 3D-CRT that allows radiation to be even more exactly shaped to fit a tumor. This type of cancer treatment is used to break up radiation into many small “beamlets” that can be individually modified. By “bending” each beam shape and controlling its intensity, your radiation oncologist may be able to further limit healthy tissue exposure and, in some situations, deliver higher doses to the tumor itself.

IGRT is used to improve radiation delivery when tumors move between treatments. With IGRT, radiation treatment is guided by imaging technologies such as CT scans, ultrasound or X-rays so the tumor’s movement can be tracked and your treatment team can direct radiation to its exact location.

Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology uses minimally-invasive procedures to diagnose and treat various diseases. These procedures often have less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. For cancer patients, a catheter may be placed inside the body to treat patients non-surgically. Other forms of interventional radiology may also be used to treat cancer or target a tumor.

Chemotherapy Treatments

This treatment involves the use of cancer-fighting drugs designed to target tumors and destroy their cells. They can be administered in a variety of ways including IV, catheterization or pill form. At the cancer center, your progress with these drugs will be carefully monitored by an experienced oncology team. Learn More

Targeted Molecular Therapy

Targeted Molecular Therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Blocking these molecules may kill cancer cells or may keep cancer from growing or spreading. This form of therapy may cause less harm to normal cells and have fewer side effects than other types of cancer treatment.

Lymphedema Treatment

Lymphedema, or swelling in the extremities due to the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, sometimes occurs in cancer patients as a result of surgery or treatment. The cancer center offers a non-invasive therapy that uses a gentle massage technique. This form of treatment can decrease swelling and have a positive effect on the immune system.

Imaging Services

The cancer center employs a range of imaging services – such as X-ray, computerized tomography, or CT scan, and positron emission tomography, or PET scan – to detect and monitor cancerous tissues and tumors. A PET scan in particular can help physicians detect abnormalities on the cellular level. Each form of imaging has its benefits and limitations. Your physician may use more than one form of imaging to monitor and help treat your cancer.